U.S. patent application number 13/303123 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-23 for method of executing software functions using biometric detection and related electronic device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Shih-Wei Chen, Shian-Luen Cheng, Wen-Jeng Fang. Invention is credited to Shih-Wei Chen, Shian-Luen Cheng, Wen-Jeng Fang.
Application Number | 20130129162 13/303123 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48426996 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130129162 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cheng; Shian-Luen ; et
al. |
May 23, 2013 |
Method of Executing Software Functions Using Biometric Detection
and Related Electronic Device
Abstract
A method of executing software functions on an electronic device
having biometric detection includes receiving touch input from one
or more fingers of a user on a fingerprint sensor of the electronic
device and recognizing one or more fingerprints and recognizing a
gesture in the received touch input. The method further includes
performing a fingerprint comparison to compare the one or more
recognized fingerprints to contents of a database, performing a
gesture comparison to compare the recognized gesture to contents of
the database, determining a matching software function according to
results of the fingerprint comparison and the gesture comparison,
and executing the matching software function.
Inventors: |
Cheng; Shian-Luen;
(Kaohsiung City, TW) ; Chen; Shih-Wei; (New Taipei
City, TW) ; Fang; Wen-Jeng; (Taipei City,
TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cheng; Shian-Luen
Chen; Shih-Wei
Fang; Wen-Jeng |
Kaohsiung City
New Taipei City
Taipei City |
|
TW
TW
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
48426996 |
Appl. No.: |
13/303123 |
Filed: |
November 22, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
382/124 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 21/32 20130101;
G06F 21/36 20130101; G06F 3/041 20130101; G06K 9/00335 20130101;
G06F 3/0488 20130101; G06K 9/00013 20130101; G06K 9/00087
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
382/124 |
International
Class: |
G06K 9/00 20060101
G06K009/00 |
Claims
1. A method of executing software functions on an electronic device
having biometric detection, the method comprising: receiving touch
input from one or more fingers of a user on a fingerprint sensor of
the electronic device; recognizing one or more fingerprints and
recognizing a gesture in the received touch input; performing a
fingerprint comparison to compare the one or more recognized
fingerprints to contents of a database; performing a gesture
comparison to compare the recognized gesture to contents of the
database; determining a matching software function according to
results of the fingerprint comparison and the gesture comparison;
and executing the matching software function.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein recognizing the one or more
fingerprints comprises recognizing one fingerprint and recognizing
the gesture comprises recognizing a single-touch gesture.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein recognizing the one or more
fingerprints comprises recognizing two or more fingerprints and
recognizing the gesture comprises recognizing a multi-touch
gesture.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein recognizing the gesture comprises
detecting one or more positions at which touch input was received
on the fingerprint sensor.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein recognizing the one or more
fingerprints comprises recognizing two or more fingerprints and
recognizing the gesture comprises recognizing a sequence in which
touch input corresponding to the two or more fingerprints is
received.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the matching software
function according to results of the fingerprint comparison and the
gesture comparison is performed on an application software program
associated with the electronic device, and executing the matching
software function comprises the application software program
triggering execution of a software function in a host to which the
electronic device is connected.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the database contains a software
function corresponding to each recognized fingerprint or
fingerprint combination.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the database contains a software
function corresponding to each recognized fingerprint or
fingerprint combination for each unique user registered in the
database.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the database contains a software
function corresponding to each recognized gesture.
10. An electronic device having biometric detection, the electronic
device comprising: a fingerprint sensor receiving touch input from
one or more fingers of a user, wherein the received touch input
comprises at least one fingerprint and a gesture; a memory; a
database stored in the memory, the database containing a listing of
a plurality of fingerprints and a plurality of gestures and
corresponding software functions; and a processor recognizing the
received touch input, performing a comparison to compare the
received touch input to contents of the database, determining a
matching software function according to results of the comparison,
and executing the matching software function.
11. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the processor
recognizing the received touch input comprises recognizing one
fingerprint and recognizing a single-touch gesture.
12. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the processor
recognizing the received touch input comprises recognizing two or
more fingerprints and recognizing a multi-touch gesture.
13. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the processor
recognizing the received touch input comprises detecting one or
more positions at which touch input was received on the fingerprint
sensor.
14. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the processor
recognizing the received touch input comprises recognizing which
finger or fingers of the user the one or more fingerprints
correspond to.
15. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the processor
recognizing the received touch input comprises recognizing two or
more fingerprints and recognizing a sequence in which touch input
corresponding to the two or more fingerprints is received.
16. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the processor
determining the matching software function according to results of
the received touch input comparison comprises the processor
executing an application software program associated with the
electronic device, and the processor executing the matching
software function comprises the application software program
triggering execution of a software function in a host to which the
electronic device is connected.
17. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the database
contains a software function corresponding to each recognized
received touch input.
18. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the database
contains a software function corresponding to each recognized
received touch input for each unique user registered in the
database.
19. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the database
contains a software function corresponding to each recognized
gesture.
20. A method of defining software functions on an electronic device
having biometric detection, the method comprising: selecting an
interactive function; providing touch input as a setting, the
provided touch input comprising providing at least one fingerprint
and performing a gesture on a fingerprint sensor of the electronic
device; and saving the setting corresponding to the selected
interactive function in a database of the electronic device.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of providing touch
input as a setting comprises providing two or more fingerprints and
providing a sequence in which touch input corresponding to the two
or more fingerprints.
22. The method of claim 20, wherein the database of the electronic
device contains a software function corresponding to the setting.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The invention relates to biometric detection in an
electronic device, and more particularly, to a method of executing
software functions according to detected biometric data and
detected user gestures.
[0003] 2. Description of the Conventional Art
[0004] In recent years, biometric data has become an important part
of security services. Biometric data, such as fingerprint, face
recognition, iris recognition, and so on can be used to uniquely
identify people in a reliable way that is difficult to forge.
[0005] In the computing industry, many storage devices, computing
devices, and communication devices have adopted biometric
authentication in order to prevent unauthorized users from gaining
access to critical data. A common form of biometric data used in
electronic devices is fingerprint detection. Since fingerprint
detecting circuits can now be made in a small chip-like form
factor, fingerprint sensors can be included in a variety of modern
electronic devices while still keeping the devices thin, light, and
small.
[0006] Please refer to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a
notebook computer 20 according to the prior art. The notebook
computer 20 shown in FIG. 1 is a ThinkPad.RTM. brand notebook
computer sold by Lenovo.RTM.. The notebook computer 20 contains a
fingerprint sensor 22 for enabling biometric identification for
authorized users of the notebook computer 20. An authorized user
swipes his finger 24 across the fingerprint sensor 22. Once the
user is recognized as an authorized user, the user is allowed to
access data stored within the notebook computer 20.
[0007] Please refer to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a mobile
phone 30 according to the prior art. The mobile phone 30 shown in
FIG. 2 is a Motorola ATRIX.TM. mobile phone. The mobile phone 30
contains a fingerprint sensor 32 for enabling biometric
identification for authorized users of the mobile phone 30. In
order to access protected data on the phone, an authorized user
swipes his finger across the fingerprint sensor 32. Once the user
is recognized as an authorized user, the user is allowed to access
data stored within the mobile phone 30.
[0008] Please refer to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 illustrates a screen 40
showing an example of using a fingerprint sensor to control a
cursor on a computer according to the prior art. The screen 40 is
taken from the BioExcess.TM. software solution sold by Egis
Technology Inc. As shown in the illustration 48 in FIG. 3, a user
can move a finger across a fingerprint sensor in order to move the
cursor up, down, left, or right. The sensitivity of the sensor can
be adjusted in a sensitivity meter 42, and the adjustment can be
confirmed with an "OK" button 44 or can be canceled with a "Cancel"
button 46. It should be noted that although the fingerprint sensor
can be used as an input device in order to move the cursor, the
fingerprint sensor does not actually need to sense a fingerprint in
order to allow the user to move the cursor.
[0009] Despite the utility provided by the fingerprint sensors of
the prior art, none of the fingerprint sensors allow personalized
software functions to be executed based in part on recognition of
fingerprints of registered users, thereby allowing each registered
user to create personalized input commands.
SUMMARY
[0010] It is therefore one of the primary objectives of the claimed
invention to provide a method of executing software functions on an
electronic device having biometric detection, and a related
electronic device.
[0011] According to an exemplary embodiment of the claimed
invention, a method of executing software functions on an
electronic device having biometric detection is disclosed. The
method includes receiving touch input from one or more fingers of a
user on a fingerprint sensor of the electronic device and
recognizing one or more fingerprints and recognizing a gesture in
the received touch input. The method further includes performing a
fingerprint comparison to compare the one or more recognized
fingerprints to contents of a database, performing a gesture
comparison to compare the recognized gesture to contents of the
database, determining a matching software function according to
results of the fingerprint comparison and the gesture comparison,
and executing the matching software function.
[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the claimed
invention, an electronic device having biometric detection is
disclosed. The electronic device includes a fingerprint sensor
receiving touch input from one or more fingers of a user, a memory,
and a database stored in the memory, the database containing a
listing of a plurality of fingerprints and a plurality of gestures
and corresponding software functions. The electronic device also
includes a processor recognizing one or more fingerprints and
recognizing a gesture in the received touch input, performing a
fingerprint comparison to compare the one or more recognized
fingerprints to contents of a database, performing a gesture
comparison to compare the recognized gesture to contents of the
database, determining a matching software function according to
results of the fingerprint comparison and the gesture comparison,
and executing the matching software function.
[0013] According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the claimed
invention, a method of defining software functions on an electronic
device having biometric detection is disclosed. The method includes
selecting an interactive function and providing touch input as a
setting, the provided touch input comprising providing at least one
fingerprint and performing a gesture on a fingerprint sensor of the
electronic device. The method also includes saving the setting
corresponding to the selected interactive function in a database of
the electronic device.
[0014] It is an advantage that the present invention provides the
ability to recognize fingerprints and gestures through a
fingerprint sensor. Through the combination of the recognized
fingerprints and recognized gestures, an authorized user can
execute personalized software functions that the user has
pre-defined. Therefore, not only can each gesture correspond to a
different software function, but each gesture for each recognized
fingerprint can also correspond to a different software function.
In this way the present invention provides a highly adaptable and
customizable platform for allowing authorized users to execute
software functions.
[0015] These and other objectives of the present invention will no
doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after
reading the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiment that is illustrated in the various figures and
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a notebook computer according to
the prior art.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a mobile phone according to the
prior art.
[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a screen showing an example of using a
fingerprint sensor to control a cursor on a computer according to
the prior art.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an electronic device connected
to a host according to the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating controlling electronic
devices using fingerprints and gestures recognized through the
fingerprint sensor.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the process of defining
software functions in terms of corresponding fingerprints and
gestures according to the present invention method.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the process of executing
software functions in the present invention according to detected
fingerprints and gestures.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a screenshot showing a first example of unlocking
a mobile phone using gesture and fingerprint recognition according
to the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 9 is a screenshot showing a second example of unlocking
a mobile phone using gesture and fingerprint recognition according
to the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 10 shows a screenshot containing icons corresponding to
a full set of applications stored on the mobile phone. Icons are
located at a lower portion of the screen.
[0026] FIG. 11 shows a screenshot containing icons that correspond
to a reduced set of applications stored on the mobile phone.
[0027] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing three different gestures and
their matching software functions as set by two different
users.
[0028] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing three gestures and available
software functions that can be assigned to the gestures through the
application software program of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] Please refer to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an
electronic device 50 connected to a host 60 according to the
present invention. The electronic device 50 contains a fingerprint
sensor 52 for performing fingerprint recognition as well as for
recognizing gestures performed by a user of the electronic device
50. A storage unit 56 may be used for storing user data, program
data, as well as a database 57. The storage unit 56 can be any form
of memory unit that has data storage ability. Preferably, the
storage unit 56 is a form of non-volatile memory for retaining data
even when power is not supplied to the electronic device 50. The
storage unit 56 may be formed from flash memory, such as NAND flash
memory.
[0030] The database 57 stores fingerprint data for one or more
users of the electronic device 50, gestures defined by the users,
and corresponding software functions that are to be executed when
the fingerprint sensor 52 recognizes one or more fingerprints and a
gesture corresponding to a matching software function stored in the
database 57. A controller 54 compares the recognized fingerprints
and gestures to the contents of the database 57 to look for a
matching software function. When the controller 54 locates a
matching software function, the controller 54 executes the matching
software function.
[0031] The electronic device 50 may be a standalone electronic
device 50 that can operate without a host, or the electronic device
50 may connect to the host 60 through an interface 58. For example,
if the electronic device 50 connects to the host 60 through the
interface 58, the interface 58 may be any kind of interface such as
the universal serial bus (USB) interface or the external serial
advanced technology attachment (eSATA) interface. The electronic
device 50 may be any kind of electronic device, including a
computer, a mobile phone, a storage device, and so on. The
electronic device 50 may be portable or not. In short, any device
having a fingerprint sensor and a storage unit storing a database
of software functions is suitable for implementing the present
invention. Thus, by using the fingerprint sensor 52, the electronic
device 50 is able to use biometric identification for controlling
the execution of matching software functions. On the other hand,
the database 57 may also store commands corresponding to the
recognized fingerprints and gestures. The commands are provided by
the controller 54 to the host 60 for executing software functions
stored in the host 60.
[0032] Please refer to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating
controlling electronic devices 50, 50A, and 50B using fingerprints
72 and gestures 70A and 70B recognized through the fingerprint
sensor 52. Each of the electronic devices 50, 50A, and 50B contains
a fingerprint sensor such as the fingerprint sensor 52. The
electronic device 50 represents a smart phone, the electronic
device 50A represents an input/output device, such as a track pad
on a notebook computer, and the electronic device 50B represents a
storage device such as a portable hard drive having a fingerprint
sensor. For simplicity, the electronic device 50 will be taken as
an example, although this is not intended to limit the present
invention, which is capable of being implemented with any
electronic device.
[0033] When a user wishes to control the electronic device 50A, the
user can touch the fingerprint sensor 52 while making a gesture
such as gesture 70A, representing a left-to-right swipe, or gesture
70B, representing a downward swipe. The gesture 70A will be taken
as an example in this discussion. The fingerprint sensor 52 will
detect not only the gesture 70A that was used, but also will detect
at least one fingerprint 72 used with the gesture 70A. Once the
gesture 70A and the fingerprint 72 have been detected, an
application software program 74 determines a matching software
function according to the database 57 stored in the storage unit 56
of the electronic device 50. After a match has been found, the
application software program 74 executes the matching software
function.
[0034] When the user touches the fingerprint sensor 52, the user
can use either single-touch or multi-touch gestures. In the case of
a single-touch gesture being used, the fingerprint sensor 52
detects the corresponding single fingerprint associated with the
single-touch gesture. Since each of the user's fingers has a unique
fingerprint, a different matching software function could be used
for each finger. Furthermore, a different matching software
function can also be programmed for each gesture. Therefore, a
variety of different combinations of fingerprints and gestures can
be used for programming and executing the matching software
functions.
[0035] Multi-touch gestures work in much the same manner as
single-touch gestures, with the fingerprint sensor 52 detecting
multiple fingerprints instead of a single fingerprint. Not only
does the combination of fingerprints used in the multi-touch
gesture determine which matching software function is executed, but
the sequence in which the multiple fingerprints are recognized can
also be considered for determining the gesture type. For example,
touching the fingerprint sensor 52 with the index finger before
also touching the fingerprint sensor 52 with the middle finger
could be considered to be a separate gesture than reversing the
sequence of the fingers in order to touch the fingerprint sensor 52
with the middle finger before touching with the index finger. Using
another combination of fingers could be considered as still other
gestures.
[0036] Examples of simple gestures include swiping to the left,
swiping to the right, swiping upward, swiping downward, and a
sustained hold on the fingerprint sensor 52. Other more complicated
gestures can also be used. Furthermore, the position at which touch
input is received on the fingerprint sensor 52 can also be used for
determining the gesture type. As mentioned above, the gestures can
be a single-touch gesture with one detected fingerprint or can be
multi-touch gestures with multiple detected fingerprints. A gesture
can even be defined to include sequential motions instead of a
single detected motion. In other words, a gesture can be defined as
being a combination of multiple simple gestures.
[0037] Moreover, since each user has distinct fingerprints, each
user can create their own customized matching software functions
forgiven combination of recognized fingerprints and recognized
gestures. Therefore, each user can be instantly recognized by the
user's fingerprints and the user can execute their own matching
software functions that have been previously set in the database 57
via the application software program 74.
[0038] Please refer to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating
the process of defining software functions in terms of
corresponding fingerprints and gestures according to the present
invention method. Steps contained in the flowchart will be
explained below.
[0039] Step 80: Start.
[0040] Step 82: The user runs the application software program 74.
If the electronic device 50 is to be connected to a host such as
the host 60 shown in FIG. 4, the application software program 74
can be stored in either the electronic device 50 or in the host 60.
The application software program 74 can be started manually by the
user, or can be started automatically, such as when the host 60
detects a connection with the electronic device 50. If the
electronic device 50 is a standalone device that operates without a
host, then the application software program 74 can be started on
the electronic device 50 directly.
[0041] Step 84: The user selects an interactive function to set.
The interactive function is a software function that the user can
define in terms of a corresponding fingerprint or fingerprints and
a corresponding gesture. As an example, the user can choose to
define the function of locking the electronic device 50. It should
be noted that one, two, or more than two fingerprints can be used
in the settings corresponding to the selected interactive
function.
[0042] Step 86: The user performs a gesture on the fingerprint
sensor 52 of the electronic device 50 in order to program the
setting corresponding to the selected interactive function.
[0043] Step 88: The fingerprint sensor 52 detects not only the
motion of the gesture, but also detects which fingerprint or
fingerprints were used in the gesture. Furthermore, the sequence in
which touch input was received corresponding to multiple
fingerprints may be detected when multiple fingers are used.
[0044] Step 90: The gesture and fingerprint settings corresponding
to the selected software function are saved. As a result, the
database 57 contains an entry that defines the software function in
terms of the associated fingerprints and gesture.
[0045] Step 92: End.
[0046] It should be noted that the sequence of step 84 to step 88
could be changed based on the design of the application software
program 74. The user may perform a gesture on the fingerprint
sensor 52 detected thereby first, and then select an interactive
function to set. The sequence of detecting user's fingerprint and
gesture, and setting the interactive function is not limited in
this preferred embodiment.
[0047] Please refer to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating
the process of executing software functions in the present
invention according to detected fingerprints and gestures. Steps
contained in the flowchart will be explained below.
[0048] Step 100: Start.
[0049] Step 102: The user runs the application software program 74.
If the electronic device is a standalone electronic device with an
operating system, the application software 74 may be automatically
executed in the background of the operating system when the user
starts up the electronic device.
[0050] Step 104: The user performs a gesture on the fingerprint
sensor 52 of the electronic device 50.
[0051] Step 106: The fingerprint sensor 52 detects the gesture as
well as which fingerprint or fingerprints were used in the
gesture.
[0052] Step 108: The application software program 74 determines if
the detected fingerprint is registered in the database 57. If so,
step 110 is followed. If not, step 114 is followed. This step
serves to check whether the user is registered with the electronic
device 50 because only registered users will have their
fingerprints stored in the database 57.
[0053] Step 110: The application software program 74 determines if
the detected gesture is registered in the database 57. If so, step
112 is followed. If not, step 114 is followed.
[0054] Step 112: The application software program 74 locates a
matching software function corresponding to the detected
fingerprint and gesture and executes the matching software
function.
[0055] Step 114: End.
[0056] Please refer to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a screenshot 120 showing a
first example of unlocking a mobile phone using gesture and
fingerprint recognition according to the present invention. In
order to unlock the mobile phone, the user must swipe his finger
along the pattern 122 of dots shown. If the surface of the mobile
phone that the user's finger is touching contains the fingerprint
sensor 52 of the present invention, the fingerprint sensor 52 can
detect not only the gesture performed by the user, but also the
fingerprint of the finger touching the fingerprint sensor 52. If
the user is an authorized user and if the gesture used is the
correct gesture, the mobile phone will be unlocked. Otherwise, the
mobile phone can remain locked.
[0057] Please refer to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a screenshot 130 showing a
second example of unlocking a mobile phone using gesture and
fingerprint recognition according to the present invention. In
order to unlock the mobile phone, the user must slide his finger
from left to right along the arrow 132. As with the first example,
if the surface of the mobile phone that the user's finger is
touching contains the fingerprint sensor 52 of the present
invention, the fingerprint sensor 52 can detect not only the
gesture performed by the user, but also the fingerprint of the
finger touching the fingerprint sensor 52. Depending on the
settings of the mobile phone, different actions can be taken
according to the identity of the user unlocking the phone. If the
user is an authorized user and if the gesture used is the correct
sliding gesture for unlocking the phone, the mobile phone will be
unlocked and a full set of applications will be presented to the
user, as shown in FIG. 10. Otherwise, if the user is not an
authorized user and if the gesture used is the correct sliding
gesture for unlocking the phone, the mobile phone will be unlocked
and a reduced set of applications will be presented to the user, as
shown in FIG. 11.
[0058] Please refer to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11. FIG. 10 shows a
screenshot 140 containing icons 142 and 146 corresponding to a full
set of applications stored on the mobile phone. Icons 146 are
located at a lower portion 144 of the screen. FIG. 11 shows a
screenshot 150 containing icons 142 that correspond to a reduced
set of applications stored on the mobile phone. The applications
shown in the screenshots 140 and 150 differ in that the reduced set
of applications shown in screenshot 150 do not include the icons
146 at the lower portion of the screen 144. Furthermore, some of
the icons 142 contained in the reduced set of applications have
been crossed out to indicate that the user is not being given
access to the corresponding applications. For instance, icon 152
corresponds to a short message service (SMS) text message
application, icon 154 corresponds to a Facebook.RTM. application,
and icon 156 corresponds to a Gmail.RTM. application. The
applications corresponding to icons 152, 154, and 156 have been
crossed out, indicating that the user of the mobile phone does not
have access to these applications. Furthermore, each of the
applications corresponding to the icons 146 shown in FIG. 10 are
also unavailable to the user. Since the user is not an authorized
user as determined according to the user's fingerprint read by the
fingerprint sensor 52, the user is only shown a reduced set of
applications that the user has access to. Thus, the user's identity
determines what level of functionality is presented to the
user.
[0059] Please refer to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a diagram 160 showing
three different gestures and their matching software functions as
set by two different users. The type of gesture shown in gesture
162 is typically referred to as a scrolling gesture, the type of
gesture shown in gesture 164 is typically referred to as a swiping
gesture, and the type of gesture shown in gesture 166 is typically
referred to as a rotating gesture. If there are two users of the
electronic device 50, user A and user B, each user may customize
matching software functions that are executed when the user
performs the gestures 162, 164, or 166. For instance, user A may
wish to set the scrolling gesture 162 to perform the action of
moving the window of the application software program 74, whereas
user B may wish to set the scrolling gesture 162 to perform the
action of unlocking a screensaver of the electronic device 50. As
another example, user A may wish to set the swiping gesture 164 to
perform the action of moving a page forward or a page back,
depending on the direction of the swiping gesture, whereas user B
may wish to set the swiping gesture 164 to perform the action of
opening a start menu of the electronic device 50. As a third
example, user A may wish to set the rotating gesture 166 to perform
the action of rotating a photo, whereas user B may wish to set the
rotating gesture 166 to perform the action of deleting a file. A
different matching software function can be set for each
combination of user fingerprints and gestures, thereby providing
users with great flexibility on customizing their user interface
for the electronic device 50.
[0060] Please refer to FIG. 13. FIG. 13 is a diagram 170 showing
three gestures 172, 174, and 176 and available software functions
178, 180, and 182 that can be assigned to the gestures through the
application software program 74 of the present invention. Gesture
172 corresponds to a left to right sliding motion made by user A,
gesture 174 corresponds to an up to down sliding motion made by
user A, and gesture 176 corresponds to an up to down sliding motion
made by user B. Although a large number of software functions could
be assigned to the gestures 172, 174, and 176 through the
application software program 74, only the available software
functions 178, 180, and 182 are shown in FIG. 13 for simplicity.
During the process of defining or setting software functions in
terms of corresponding fingerprints and gestures shown in the
flowchart of FIG. 6, the software functions corresponding to the
gestures 172, 174, and 176 can be assigned.
[0061] In the prior art, each gesture could only be used for
executing the same software function for each user. In contrast,
the present invention provides a way for each user to define
customized software functions to be performed when the user
performs a gesture. This is possible because the user's
fingerprints are detected as the gesture is performed.
[0062] In summary, the present invention provides the ability to
recognize fingerprints and gestures through a fingerprint sensor.
Through the combination of the recognized fingerprints and
recognized gestures, an authorized user can execute personalized
software functions that the user has pre-defined. Therefore, not
only can each gesture correspond to a different software function,
but each gesture for each recognized fingerprint can also
correspond to a different software function. In this way the
present invention provides a highly adaptable and customizable
platform for allowing authorized users to execute software
functions.
[0063] Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous
modifications and alterations of the device and method may be made
while retaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the
above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes
and bounds of the appended claims.
* * * * *